1972 was the last hurrah for the third-generation Oldsmobile Cutlass, with a new body style introduced the following year that America ended up falling in love with. 1973 kicked off the Collonade run for the Cutlass, which proved a success story for much of GM over the next few years, with the Olds Cutlass taking the prize as the best-selling car in the United States for ’76. Even so, there’s just something about the looks of those early seventies models that’s always been a bit more appealing to me, and if you think so too this 1972 Cutlass Supreme may be worth a look. The car is in Willoughby, Ohio, and can be spotted here on eBay with bidding currently resting at $12,600.
Upon first glance, the Cutlass really does appear to be the time capsule it’s called by the seller, with most of the original Nordic Blue paint remaining. But Willoughby, Ohio is about 20 miles Northeast of Cleveland, and though we’re not given the geographical history of the Olds if it’s been driven during the winters in this area very many times we all know what happens. The owner states that the body is virtually rust-free, with the corrosion present only on the surface, but it’s looking like some of it may go a little deeper, and I’d like to see what that fender looks like with the rocker panel removed. The driver’s door gap is appearing a bit funky too, and not in a good sort of way. But for a 50-year-old car, overall it presents quite well outside, and kudos to the seller for the up-close photos from the afflicted areas.
The drivetrain is said to be numbers-matching, with the original 350 still under the hood and a reported less than 24,000 miles on the clock put there by just two owners. The seller states that the car has been very well maintained over the years, with the motor being the recent recipient of a comprehensive tune-up, and the engine bay also receiving some detailing. He goes on to say that the Cutlass runs and drives like a new car, with no less than 7 videos provided of the car including this one, and it truly does seem to run and maneuver quite well.
Inside is where things appear more in line for time capsule status than on the outside, with just about everything regarding the interior holding true to what a 23k mile car should look like, especially to be half a century old. The seller mentions a low reserve and a buy-it-now price, but the take-it-home-today number and reserve have disappeared so it’s auction-style from here on out, and the high bidder has bought the car. What would you do with this 1972 Cutlass Supreme? Is making the body repairs and taking it to the next level a better choice, or just enjoy driving the car like it is?
In case some missed it, I had a revelation while in the tub. No not that, I figured out I’m the “Andy Rooney” of the site. Naturally, he was my mentor.
Did you ever wonder why, America stopped building cars like this? Because the Asians dangled this gas mileage cheese in our faces, and most followed like sheep, even though, they knew they were lousy cars, compared to THIS! Favorite Cutlass. After HS, best friends mom had one like this, only gold. She didn’t let him drive it often, because she knew he beat the heck out of it, but when he got the car, it was cruisin’ down to the ( Milwaukee) lakefront, WQFM cranked, oh, we had it made, and it was a cool enough car, many thought it was his. Far as I’m concerned, GM knocked it out of the park with these. Someone going to get a sweetheart here.
Correct! The CAFE law passed in 1974 in response to the 1973-74 oil embargo required that average fleet fuel economy increase from something like 14 MPG in 1975 to 27.5 MPG by 1985. That heavily favored foreign manufacturers, who are already making small cars.
And needless to say, coupled with mandatory safety standards which were also increasing during that time, this had a dramatic effect on domestic vehicle styling.
Oddly, we are now seeing a somewhat parallel situation with the electric vehicle push.
Yes I had the Good Fortune I think of working in a Cadillac Pontiac dealership through my entire High School from 73 to 77 and then I ordered a 1978 Trans Am with the blues that they only use one year I forget Martinique blue or something with blue velor interior wish I still had it like a lot of people but the build quality was not great trunk leaked brakes were terrible air didn’t ever blow cold just enough cuz the sun baked the inside of that car with the tops but it helped me accomplish what I wanted to accomplish if you know what I mean being 18 19 and having a brand new Trans Am and it was pretty but I saw a lot of cars come through there my my I had two uncles that worked for GM and my mom got her GM cards every 2 years at invoice or whatever it was through them we bought Pontiac and Buicks great cars
Andy would roll over in his grave if he heard your comparison, he was a lovable curmudgeon…
If I were to buy a car like this (American hobby car),
this would be it!To me,the best Olds they ever made.
When I detailed cars,I got to do one of these that was
that gorgeous Burnt Orange color,with a Black vinyl top –
my favorite color.
I remember that aside from being a solid & comfortable
driving car,you could break the rear end loose in that thing.
This one should go for a good price.
Already at 18K plus with 3.5 days to go. Looks like bidders believe the 23K miles story. I have to admit that interiors like that are hard to fake.
Cool 😎 Cutlass
I had a 1970 and a 1971. They were great cars!
Very nice Oldsmobile.
Looks best above edge guards – clean (and cleaned up), but no comments here on the rust that is not isolated?
Pull up that carpet, put up on a rack for sure and count down from 5, take a breath as these bids build.
Nice car, but really needs a look into the trunk lid, bottoms of the doors, 360 degree look at lower panels under that shiny paint with magnet and tap at rockers, under carpet too.
Interesting comment on the door gaps… my 70 442 coupe and 71 Cutlass Supr convertible both have bad gaps at the top of the fender to front door… nearly everyone I’ve seen has the same gap…weird oversight on otherwise nicely executed vehicles.
The bad “driver’s” door gap photo is actually the leading edge of the passenger door. The apparent gap is probably exaggerated by the photo angle of the two curved surfaces. The proper fender alignment is with the trailing edge surface of the fender about 3/32″ proud of the door surface so that the door edge could bypass the fender when opening without requiring an even larger gap when the fender and door are in the same plane. Many restorers get this wrong, and they try to align the two surfaces. This results in huge gaps at the front and/or the door hinges adjusted so far back that there is barely a gap at the rear. What I observe here from the few photos I see is a pretty typical factory fender/door alignment.
This Olds was on FB MP about two weeks back for 19k asking price. Looks to be have been sold to this flipper. As TorinoSCJ69 says above, I’d take a closer look at the rust issues, especially underneath the rocker panels, floors under carpet and the vinyl top underneath rear window, underneath trunk lip, and underneath door jambs. It shows some of the rust issues in a few pictures but I’d be willing to bet, there is more. I have owned six Olds from 70-72, and these are great cars, but I would not get caught up with the 23k mile claim and paying over 20k for a car with like this with as many rust issues present without inspecting the car first. It’s a nice looking car, but low miles or not, rust makes me nervous.
The majority of them had rust issues under the vinyl top behind the rear glass. To me the worst invention ever for cars was the vinyl top.
Nice looking car but the mileage is suspect to me. There’s been a lot of tidying up under the hood. Hose clamps are correct but could be repops. Coolant overflow would probably be yellow after 50 years even with low miles and looks bright white. It’s worth whatever two people can agree on I guess but with the rust poking out from everywhere probably going to be some remorse at first inspection. Speaking of inspection the rear diff inspection cover looks to be pretty bad.
Had the identical car, green on green on green 35 years ago. Just as nice too! Yeah, the seat upholstery patterns are correct in this car, exactly what mine had. Almost unheard of to see a CS without AC (??) Damn that Ohio rust, just can’t go there because of it…….
What a beautiful car. Always liked those wheels, and she also has the Rocket motor still in place.
Pretty car. Not a 442- but I could flip down the armrest and pretend… Had a ‘71 Cutlass with a 350. It was no slouch. (But paled next to my ‘68 442)
‘68-‘72 GMs were beautifully styled. ‘73? Ugh.
My take on this is
I think the ugly colonade that followed is what helped the exodus towards asian cars
Don’t get me wrong , i dont hate american made cars but the whole boat like horrible cars that the big 3 pumped out were very sad and totally disconnected from the needs of buyers !
Yeah sure , they sold a lot because of loyalty but see how that turned out when they finally tuned out !
Getting back to this car, i always found them bloated and they handled like a loaded plumber ´s work van but the topless did look good
Nothing wrong with the Collonades , they obviously were down on power due to Govt. emission requirements , but they did everything they were supposed to do, and people bought them for what they were- a good size car . The land Yachts of the time became the dinosaurs , and the mid size car was king for families. The Collonades were a better riding , handling and stopping car compared to the previous models ,and sold very well
Interesting little aftermarket windshield washer fluid pump on the driver’s side inner fender. My fair weather Cutlass with 100K+ miles I’ve owned for over 30 year and not once have needed or used the windshield washer. Curious they went to the trouble of updating this for such a low mileage car. Cleveland car so careful inspection is warranted. Looks like it’s seen a few winters.
Since I’m a certified ASC mechanic and body man and I used to own an olds Cutlass supreme if I bought this car I would keep the motor drop in at 455 worked balanced etc dual quads 442 Hood patch up the fenders new paint job and wing on the back factory wing 390 gears my 1970 Cutlass supreme had all that except left to 350 worked with 4:55 gears that ran 12s great on gas love Oldsmobiles giant ports and valves miss my car looking for another this would be a great project but everything that’s in it I would keep if I ever want to make it original again which probably won’t happen Oldsmobile is the bomb I’ve seen stock 455 olds eat up all hemmies 426s back in the day! Google drag racing on them two cars olds and 426 roadrunners.
Anyone notice the HEI distributor and wires. Makes you wonder how that got there before 1975 with only 23k miles on it.
Usually when I see door strikers and trunk latches painted over I see a repainted car , or at least a partially repainted one. While this looks really nice, the painted bits and the rust say it has more miles than the seller thinks
The paint on passenger side door and right front fender is mismatched also. It sure isn’t original!